The PGA Tour travels to Georgia this week for The McGladrey Classic. Chris Kirk defends the title against a strong field over the Seaside Course at Sea Island.
Lowdown: The PGA Tour travels to Georgia this week for The McGladrey Classic. Chris Kirk defends the title against a strong field over the Seaside Course at Sea Island.
After finishing second in last season’s FedEx Cup race, Kirk will be amongst the favourites this week in Sea Island. Other big names on the start list include Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar and Webb Simpson.
The Seaside course at Sea Island is a classic Harry Colt and Charles Alison design dating from 1929. Tom Fazio completed a renovation in 1999. It’s been the venue for some significant amateur competitions over the years including the US Senior Amateur and the US Senior Women’s Amateur.
In last year’s tournament, Chris Kirk was the champion. He won by a stroke after Briny Baird bogeyed the final hole.
Wind is the main protector on this resort course and, when it’s up, the par-70 layout is challenging. Last year in the second round the wind was gusting and the average score was more than two-over-par. However, when it’s calm, scoring can be low over the Seaside Course – see Tommy Gainey’s final round 60 in 2012.
The weather looks set fair for this week and, although there may be a breeze, strong winds don’t look likely.
Thursday 23 – Sky Sports 4 from 7pm Friday 24 – Sky Sports 4 from 7pm Saturday 25 – Sky Sports 4 from 7pm Sunday 26 – Sky Sports 4 from 6pm
Webb Simpson – He has a great record in this event, his worst finish being a tie for 12th. He was tied fourth last week in Las Vegas.
Chris Kirk – The defending champion makes his first start of the new season. But it’s not so long ago that he won the Deutsche Bank Championship and finished tied fourth in The Tour Championship.
